Legendary coach Mack Brown will no longer lead the North Carolina Tar Heels football program. The university announced his departure on Tuesday, a day after Brown stated his intention to continue coaching through 2025, with three years left on his contract. This concludes Brown's second tenure at UNC, which began in 2019, following his initial period from 1988 to 1997. Between his two stints in Chapel Hill, Brown achieved national championship success at the University of Texas in 2005.

While the university has decided to move in a new direction, Brown is anticipated to remain with the team at least through their final regular season game against North Carolina State on Saturday. Whether he will coach in a potential bowl game remains uncertain.

In a statement, Brown expressed his focus on the upcoming rivalry game with NC State. He acknowledged that his departure wasn't under ideal circumstances but affirmed his deep appreciation for his 16 seasons at UNC and the relationships he and his wife, Sally, have cultivated. He also expressed his fondness for mentoring the young athletes and the sadness he feels at no longer having that opportunity.

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham informed Brown of the decision, though the specific reasons behind the change haven't been publicly disclosed. Cunningham commended Brown's record-breaking win total at UNC, his contributions to program infrastructure improvements, and his leadership within the community, especially during challenging times like the recent passing of player Tylee Craft.

Brown successfully steered the Tar Heels to bowl eligibility in every season of his second tenure, stabilizing a program that had been struggling. He also led the team to the ACC championship game in 2022. However, the team faced significant challenges this year after losing quarterback Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the NFL draft. A particularly difficult first half of the season, including a 70-point home loss to James Madison, raised concerns about the program's trajectory. Following the James Madison defeat, Brown publicly questioned his own future with the team in an emotional locker room address, later expressing regret for his handling of the situation.

With 288 career victories, including 113 at UNC, Brown is one of the most successful active coaches in college football. Almost all of his wins have come at the highest level of the sport. He is one of only three active FBS coaches, along with Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney, to have won a national championship.